Pregnant women have long been told to reduce their caffeine intake throughout the duration of their pregnancies.
So, how much caffeine can I have per day?
The current Australian guidelines for consumption of caffeine during pregnancy is 200mg per day. We recommend sticking to this amount or less when possible.ย
What is the caffeine content of drinks and food?
Here is a list of how much caffeine is found in beverages:
Espresso Coffee | 145 mg per 50 ml shot |
Instant Coffee | 60-80 mg per 250ml cup |
Tea | 10-50 mg per 250ml cup |
Energy Drinks | Up to 80 mg/250 ml can |
Coca Cola | Up to 54 mg/375 ml serving |
What is the latest researchย on caffeine consumption in pregnancy?
Jack James, a professor of the Psychology Department at Reykjavik University in Iceland, analysed the findings of 40 studies looking at caffeine consumption during pregnancy, concluding that there was no safe level of caffeine for a pregnant woman or one who is trying to conceive. His findings determined that there is a correlation between caffeine intake and birth problems or health concerns for the baby. These included miscarriage, stillbirth, low birth weight, childhood leukemia, and having a child that is overweight or obese with the risks increasing as caffeine intake increases.
Are these findings established?
Several experts not affiliated with the analysis have criticised Jamesโ conclusion advising that pregnant and women trying to conceive stick to the current Australian guidelines.
Here are some of the reasons Beck and other experts say Jamesโ conclusion is flawed.
There are no new findings.
The analysis performed by James looked at old studies and some of those studies informed on current recommendations to limit but not remove caffeine completely.
Most of the studies are observational. ย
Being that most of the studies analysed asked women to recall their caffeine consumption during their pregnancies often after quite a long time meaning that there is room for inaccuracies in the findings. Dr Alex Polyakov, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Melbourne, said there are โsignificant shortcomingsโ involved in the analysis.
It does not prove caffeine causes problems.
The analysis did not consider other factors that may have contributed to birth problems or later health concerns experienced. University of Adelaide reproductive epidemiologist Professor Michael Davies said, โThere is no clear evidence of harm at low levels of tea and coffee consumption, as there are no reliable data due to low observed risks,โ. ย
The interpretation of the data may be faulty.
Australian epidemiologist Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz questioned the calculations in the analysis and said the risk estimates are incorrect likening the analysis to an opinion piece.
If you have any concerns regarding your caffeine consumption during pregnancy, whilst trying to conceive or breastfeeding,ย Nourish recommends speaking to your healthcare provider.ย
Our Products
-
01. Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy
$37.45 -
02. Positive Birthing Course
$37.45 -
03. Baby Feeding Guide
$37.45 -
04. Baby Sleep Guide - First 12 Months
$37.45 -
05. Positive Parenting Course 1 - 3 Years
$37.45 -
Contraception after birth
Most women are fertile two weeks before their period starts. However,ย breastfeedingย can delay the return of periods, making it hard for women to know with any confidence when their โfertile windowโ may be.ย This is why some women conceive again before their periods have come back.
-
Epidurals - Benefits and Side Effects of Anaesthesia During Labour
An epidural is an anaesthetic procedure, where a local anaesthetic is injected into the epidural space near the spinal cord.ย An epidural anaesthetic numbs the nerves so pain cannot be felt in certain areas of the body.ย
An epidural during labour helps to block pain signals from contractions.ย If birth intervention is needed, e.g., caesarean or forceps, an epidural is a common form of anaesthetic.